Admissions Arrangements

With regard to our admission arrangements we follow Thurrock Council’s policy. Further information and guidance can be found in the Council’s admissions booklet: Primary Admission Information.

Priority for admission to the school up to the “number intended to admit” (90 pupils) is based on the following criteria as set out in priority order: –

1. Children whose normal place of residence is in the catchment area of the school, in the following order of priority:

a) children with brothers or sisters attending the school at the date of

admission.

b) children living closest to the school according to straight-line

measurement.

3. Children whose normal place of residence is outside the catchment area of

the school that have brothers or sisters attending the school at the date of

admission.

4. Children whose normal place of residence is outside the catchment area of

the school living closest to the school according to straight-line measurement

We welcome and encourage visits to the school by new parents.

All admissions are administered by the LA. This applies to all pupils including those with disabilities.

Children who move into the area

Many children move into the BCA catchment area when they have already started school. These children and their parents are shown round the school and admitted as soon as possible once permission is granted by Thurrock.

Parents are given are welcome to attend a New Parents’ Evening as well as visiting the school when they will be shown around by the children.

Belmont Castle Academy Admission’s Criteria

Where there are more applicants than places, the following oversubscription criteria (admission criteria) will be used for deciding which applications have priority. These criteria are set out below in the order in which they are applied.

1 Looked after children and previously looked after children Children in public care and children previously looked after will automatically be given first priority over other categories where priority is claimed on the application and validated by the local authority.

2 Special reasons Priority for admission may be given where there are exceptional social, medical or educational reasons for admission to a particular school. These reasons must be supported by evidence from a relevant professional (e.g. a doctor or a social worker) and must be submitted with the application for admission. The purpose of this criterion is to give priority to pupils with a specific need that can be met specifically at one school rather than another. The threshold for a successful application under this criterion is high and such cases are likely to be rare since all schools are able to offersupport and facilities for a wide range of needs.

3 Catchment area siblings Children whose normal place of residence is in the catchment area of the school at the closing date for applications, and who will have a sibling at the school at the point of admission, in distance order with those living closer having higher priority.

4 Catchment area children Children whose normal place of residence is in the catchment area at the closing date for applications in distance order with those living closer having higher priority.

5 Non-catchment area siblings Children whose normal place of residence is outside the catchment area of the school at the closing date for applications and who will have a sibling at the school at the point of admission in distance order with those living closer having higher priority.

6 Non-catchment area children Children whose normal place of residence is outside the catchment area at the closing date for applications in distance order with those living closer having higher priority.

Distance The distance measurement used is the straight line distance from home to school. The straight line distance measurement is taken from the front door of the home address to the main school gate.

Addresses within the same apartment block will be regarded as a tie and resolved using the tie breaker.

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Siblings

For the purpose of allocating places siblings will be defined as:

Full siblings living at the same address;

Step siblings living at the same address;

Half siblings living at the same address;

Long-term foster siblings living at the same address at the date of application and admission.

Children attending a school nursery class

Admission to or attendance at a school nursery does not guarantee, or give any priority for admission to the main part of a primary or infant school.

Multiple births

When there are not enough places remaining in a particular criterion to allow all children from a multiple birth to be admitted within the published admission number the local authority will admit the others as excepted pupils in the terms of the infant class size legislation so as to allow all children from that multiple birth to attend the

same school.

Tie breaker

In circumstances where more than one child is entitled to the same place the place will be offered using the random allocation system (a lottery). This process will be administered by the school admissions service and supervised by an independent witness.

Other offers

Applications that are not met with an offer of a preferred school will receive an offer at the catchment school if there are vacancies or at the next nearest school with vacancies. Distance measurement used to assess the next nearest school is shortest walking distance.

Special Educational Needs

Where a child is the subject of a statement of special educational needs a school place will be offered under different regulations.

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About us

Belmont Castle Academy ( formally Stifford Primary) has been in the present building since 1977 although established in 1895. The school caters for boys and girls aged 5-11 years of age. As of 2013 there were over 716 children on roll. In 2011, a project funded by the DFE capital programme added 3 additional classrooms and a brand new self contained Reception block. We have many classrooms, a music room, a library, a hall with fixed apparatus, and a wildlife area. The impressive school grounds provide a great opportunity for extending the learning outdoors with a large field and an adventure play area.Mark Jones